Automatic illuminating user interface device

ABSTRACT

A user interface (UI) device for a premises management system may include at least one proximity sensor, a first interface component configured to illuminate in a first illumination style based on a first rule set when an individual is detected within a first range by the at least one proximity sensor, and a second interface component to receive input from the individual and configured to illuminate in a second illumination style based on a second rule set different from the first rule set when the individual is detected within a second range closer to the UI device than the first range.

BACKGROUND

Some homes today are equipped with smart home networks to provideautomated control of devices, appliances and systems, such as heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system, lighting systems,home theater, entertainment systems, as well as security systems. Smarthome networks typically include a control panel that provides a userinterface for receiving user input and controlling the various devices,appliances, and security systems in the home. The control panel mayinclude a keypad or a touch screen that the user may use to input, forexample, security codes or instructions to set a temperature or armalarms.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a premisesmanagement system is provided that can include inter-connected premisesmanagement devices. Each such device can include one or more sensorsthat generate data about an environment and a user interface (UI) deviceto provide an interface for a user to interact with and control thesystem. The UI device can include one or more proximity sensors and afirst interface component that can be configured to illuminate when anindividual is detected within a first range by the one or more proximitysensors. It can also have a second interface component that can receiveinput from the individual and be configured to illuminate when theindividual is detected within a second range that is closer to the UIdevice than the first range.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a method ofoperating a user interface (UI) device for a premises management systemcan include illuminating a first interface component of a UI device in afirst illumination style when an individual is detected within a firstrange from the UI device. The first illumination style can be selectedbased on a first rule set. The second interface component of the UIdevice can be illuminated in a second illumination style when theindividual is detected within a second range from the UI device. Thesecond range can be closer than the first range and the secondillumination style can be selected based on a second rule set that canbe different from the first rule set.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a userinterface (UI) device for a premises management system can include atleast one proximity sensor, a first interface component configured toilluminate in a first illumination style based on a first rule set whenan individual is detected within a first range by the at least oneproximity sensor, and a second interface component to receive input fromthe individual and configured to illuminate in a second illuminationstyle based on a second rule set different from the first rule set whenthe individual is detected within a second range closer to the UI devicethan the first range.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, means forilluminating a first interface component of a UI device in a firstillumination style can be activated when an individual is detectedwithin a first range from the UI device. The first illumination stylecan be selected based on a first rule set. Means for illuminating asecond interface component of the UI device in a second illuminationstyle can be activated when the individual is detected within a secondrange from the UI device closer than the first range. The secondillumination style can be selected based on a second rule set that canbe different from the first rule set are provided.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter may be set forth or apparent from consideration of thefollowing detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is tobe understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detaileddescription are illustrative and are intended to provide furtherexplanation without limiting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosed subject matter, are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings also illustrateembodiments of the disclosed subject matter and together with thedetailed description serve to explain the principles of embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. No attempt is made to show structuraldetails in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamentalunderstanding of the disclosed subject matter and various ways in whichit may be practiced.

FIG. 1 shows a premises management system according to an embodiment ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 shows a premises management device according to an embodiment ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 shows a system according to an embodiment of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 4 shows a computing device according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 5-7 show example embodiments of a control panel according to anembodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a first and second range from a control panelaccording to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method of operating a control panelaccording to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects or features of this disclosure are described withreference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used torefer to like elements throughout. In this specification, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthis disclosure. It should be understood, however, that certain aspectsof disclosure may be practiced without these specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form tofacilitate describing the subject disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a controlpanel device including at least one sensor and a dual-component userinterface that can illuminate in an intelligent manner according to thecircumstances. For example, the sensor can detect an approach of aparticular individual and the control panel device can, in response tothe detected response, illuminate in a way that is specifically tailoredto that individual.

The presently disclosed control panel may control a system that includesa plurality of electrical and/or mechanical components, includingintelligent, sensing, network-connected devices that communicate witheach other and/or may communicate with a central server or acloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of managementobjectives in a home, office, building or the like. Such objectives,which may include, for example, managing alarms, managing installedsystems (e.g., sprinkler system, speaker system), controlling roomtemperature, etc., will collectively be referred to as “premisesmanagement.” A premises management system as disclosed herein mayfurther include subsystems that communicate with each other to managedifferent aspects of premises management. For example, a security systemcomponent may manage the arming, disarming, and activation of alarms andother security aspects of the premises, and a smart home component mayhandle environmental aspects such as light, temperature, and hazarddetection of the premises.

In such a multi-purpose system, different users may approach the controlpanel for different reasons. For example, one user may approachintending to enter a security code, another user may approach intendingto turn off a sprinkler system, still another user may approachintending to adjust the temperature within the premises, while anotheruser may approach intending to adjust an input source of a speakersystem. The presently disclosed control panel may be implemented as anintelligent device that “learns” patterns of use and responds todifferent individual approaches based on learned information to visuallycommunicate useful information to the approaching individual. In animplementation, such learning may occur only with the consent of the oneor more individual users. Such communicated information may be based ondata obtained from sensor components incorporated with the controldevice, sensor components of the premises management system, or fromvarious other components thereof.

Sensors may be installed in the hardware components of the presentlydisclosed premises management system that are used to monitor and affectthe premises in order to carry out premises management. These hardwarecomponents will hereinafter be referred to as “premises managementdevices.” The premises management devices described herein includemultiple physical hardware and firmware configurations, along withcircuitry hardware (e.g., processors, memory, etc.), firmware, andsoftware programming that are capable of carrying out the presentlydescribed methods and functions of a premises management system.

FIG. 1 shows an example premises management system 100, installed withina premises 110. The system 100 may include multiple types of premisesmanagement devices, such as one or more intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected control panel devices 120, one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected hazard detection units 130, one or moreintelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected entry detection units 140,and one or more network-connected door handles 150.

In addition to the control panel 120 being a learning device, the system100 as a whole may be configured to operate as a learning, evolvingecosystem of interconnected devices. New premises management devices maybe added, introducing new functionality or expanding existingfunctionality. Existing premises management devices may be replaced orremoved without causing a failure of the system 100. Such removal mayencompass intentional or unintentional removal of components from thesystem 100 by the user, as well as removal by malfunction (e.g., loss ofpower, destruction by intruder, etc.). In view of the dynamic nature ofthe system, the overall functionality and objectives of the system 100may change as the constitution and configuration of the system 100change.

In order to avoid contention and race conditions among theinterconnected devices, certain decisions, such as those that affect thepremises management system 100 at a system level or that involve datafrom multiple sources, may be centralized in a “brain” component. Thebrain component may coordinate decision making across the system 100 oracross a designated portion thereof. The brain component is a systemelement at which, for example, detector states converge, userinteraction is interpreted, sensor data is received and decisions aremade concerning the state of the system 100. Hereinafter, the system 100brain component will be referred to as the “primary system processor.”The primary system processor may be implemented in the control panel 120and/or distributed among one or more premises management devices withinthe system.

The primary system processor may control subsystems and components ofthe premises management system, such as, for example, the securitycomponent and/or the smart home environment component. Furthermore, theprimary system processor may control, receive data from, and transmitdata to premises management devices within the system.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, the control panel 120 and each ofthe premises management devices may include one or more sensors. Ingeneral, a “sensor” may refer to any device that can obtain informationabout its local environment and communicate that information in the formof data that may be stored or accessed by other devices and/or systems.Sensor data may form the basis of inferences drawn about the sensor'senvironment. For example, the control panel 120 may use data from aplurality of sensors to determine whether an individual has entered theroom and whether the individual is approaching the control panel 120 orsimply passing by.

A brief description of sensors that may be included in the system 100follows. The examples provided are not intended to be limiting but aremerely provided as illustrative subjects to help facilitate describingthe subject matter of the present disclosure. The control panel 120 andsystem 100 may use data from the types of sensors described below inorder to detect the presence and behavior of individuals within thepremises, but the present disclosure is not limited to the types ofexample sensors listed here. Rather, the system 100 may employ data fromany type of sensor that provides data from which an inference may bedrawn about the environment in or around the premises 100 and thevicinity of the control panel 120. Since it would be impractical to listand describe every type of possible sensor, it should be understood thatsensors in general are known in the art and deployment of sensors notspecifically described herein will be readily understood by one ofordinary skill on the art.

Generally, sensors may be described by the type of information theycollect. For example, sensor types may include motion, smoke, carbonmonoxide, proximity, temperature, time, physical orientation,acceleration, location, entry, presence, pressure, light, and sound,sensors and the like. A sensor also may be described in terms of theparticular physical device that obtains the environmental information.For example, an accelerometer may obtain acceleration information, andthus may be used as a type of motion sensor and/or an accelerationsensor. A sensor also may be described in terms of the specific hardwarecomponents used to implement the sensor. For example, a temperaturesensor may include a thermistor, thermocouple, resistance temperaturedetector, integrated circuit temperature detector, or combinationsthereof.

A sensor also may be described in terms of a function or functions thesensor performs within the system 100. For example, a sensor may bedescribed as a security sensor when it is used to determine securityevents, such as unauthorized entry.

A sensor may operate for different functions at different times. Forexample, system 100 may use data from a motion sensor to determine howto control lighting in the premises 100 when an authorized user ispresent and use the data to change a system security state on the basisof unauthorized or unexpected movement when no authorized user ispresent. In another example, the system 100 may use the motion sensordata differently when an alarm system is in an “armed” state versus an“unarmed” state.

In some cases, a sensor may operate as multiple sensor typessequentially or concurrently, such as where a temperature sensor is usedto detect a change in temperature, as well as the presence of a personor animal. A sensor also may operate in different modes (e.g., differentsensitivity or threshold settings) at the same or different times. Forexample, a sensor may be configured to operate in one mode during theday and another mode at night. As another example, a sensor may operatein different modes based upon a state of system 100, or as otherwisedirected by the primary system processor.

Multiple sensors may be arranged in a single physical housing, such aswhere a single device includes movement, temperature, magnetic, and/orother sensors. Such a housing may also be referred to as a sensor or asensor device. For clarity, sensors may be described with respect to theparticular functions they perform and/or the particular physicalhardware used, when such specification is beneficial for understandingof the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows an example premises management device 60 including a sensor61 as disclosed herein. The sensor 61 may be an environmental sensor,such as a temperature sensor, smoke sensor, carbon monoxide sensor,motion sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, passive infrared (PIR)sensor, magnetic field sensor, radio frequency (RF) sensor, lightsensor, humidity sensor, pressure sensor, microphone, compass or anyother suitable environmental sensor, that obtains or provides acorresponding type of information about the environment in which thepremises management device 60 is located. A processor 64 may receive andanalyze data obtained by the sensor 61, control operation of othercomponents of the premises management device 60 and/or external devices,and process communication between the premises management device 60 andother devices. The processor 64 may execute instructions and/or computerexecutable components stored on a computer-readable memory 65. Suchcomputer executable components may include, for example, a primaryfunction component to control a primary function of the premisesmanagement device 60 related to managing a premises, a communicationcomponent to locate and communicate with other compatible premisesmanagement devices, and a computational component to process systemrelated tasks.

The memory 65 or another memory in the premises management device 60 mayalso store environmental data obtained by the sensor 61. A communicationinterface 63, such as a WiFi, Thread, or other wireless interface,Ethernet or other local network interface, Bluetooth® or other radiointerface, or the like may allow for transmission and receipt of data bythe premises management device 60 to and from other devices.

A user interface (UI) 62 may provide information and/or receive inputfrom a user of system 100. The UI 62 may include, for example, a speakerto output an audible alarm when an event is detected by the premisesmanagement device 60. Alternatively, or in addition, the UI 62 mayinclude a light to be activated when an event is detected by thepremises management device 60. The user interface may be relativelyminimal, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode(LED) display, or limited-output display, or it may be a full-featuredinterface such as a touchscreen, keypad, or selection wheel with aclick-button mechanism to enter input.

Internal components of the premises management device 60 may transmitand receive data to and from one another via an internal bus 66 or othermechanism, as will be readily understood by one of skill in the art. Oneor more components may be implemented in a single physical arrangement,such as where multiple components are implemented on a single integratedcircuit. Premises management devices 60 as disclosed herein may includeother components, and/or may not include all of the illustrativecomponents shown.

As previously mentioned, sensor 61 obtains data about the premises. Atleast some of the data may be used to distinguishably identify anindividual present in the vicinity and to learn their behaviors, as willbe described below. Through the bus 66 and/or communication interface63, sensor data may be transmitted to or accessible by other componentsof the system 100. Generally, two or more sensors on one or morepremises management devices may generate data that can be coordinated bythe primary system processor to determine a system response and/or inferan intent of a user. In one example, the primary system processor of thesystem 100 may detect an entrance and approach of an individual based ondata from entry detection sensors and motion sensors and, based on acurrent state of the system 100, further estimate whether the individualintends to use the control panel 120.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram example of a premises management system 100 whichmay include an intelligent control panel 120 as disclosed herein. System100 may be implemented over any suitable wired and/or wirelesscommunication networks. One or more premises management devices, i.e.,sensors 71, 72, 73, and one or more control panels 120 (e.g., controlpanel 120 as shown in FIG. 1) may communicate via a local network 70,such as a WiFi or other suitable network, with each other. The network70 may include a mesh-type network such as Thread, which providesnetwork architecture and/or protocols for devices to communicate withone another. A user may therefore interact with the premises managementsystem 100, for example, using the control panel 120 which communicateswith the rest of the system 100 via network 70.

The control panel 120 and/or one or more of the sensors 71, 72, 73, maybe configured to implement a primary system processor 75. The primarysystem processor 75 may, for example, receive, aggregate, and/or analyzeenvironmental information received from the sensors 71, 72, 73, and thecontrol panel 120. Furthermore, a portion or percentage of the primarysystem processor 75 may be implemented in a remote system 74, such as acloud-based reporting and/or analysis system.

The sensors 71, 72, 73, may be disposed locally to one another, such aswithin a single dwelling, office space, building, room, or the like, orthey may be disposed remote from each other, such as at variouslocations around a wide perimeter of a premises. In some embodimentssensors 71, 72, 73, may communicate directly with one or more remotesystems 74. The remote system 74 may, for example, aggregate data frommultiple locations, provide instruction, software updates, and/oraggregated data to the primary system processor 75, control panel 120,and/or sensors 71, 72, 73. In addition, remote system 74 may refer to asystem or subsystem that is a part of a third party monitoring serviceor a law enforcement service.

The premises management system shown in FIG. 3 may be a part of asmart-home environment. The smart-home environment may include astructure, such as a house, office building, garage, mobile home, or thelike. The devices of the smart home environment, such as the sensors 71,72, 73, and the network 70 may be integrated into a smart-homeenvironment that does not include an entire structure, such as a singleunit in an apartment building, condominium building, or office building.

As described above, the smart home environment can control and/or becoupled to devices both inside and outside of the premises structure.For example, one or more of the sensors 71, 72, 73, may be locatedoutside the structure at one or more distances from the structure (e.g.,sensors 71, 72, may be disposed at points along an extended driveway orland perimeter on which the structure is located, and the like).Likewise, the primary system processor 75 may be implemented in sensorslocated outside of the structure. The control panel 120 may also beimplemented as a device integrated within the structure or as afree-standing device independent of the structure which the user maycarry within or outside of the structure.

The structure of the smart-home environment may include a plurality ofrooms, separated at least partly from each other via walls. Each roomcan further include a floor and a ceiling. Devices of the smart-homeenvironment, such as the sensors 71, 72, 73, may be mounted on,integrated with and/or supported by a wall, floor, or ceiling of thestructure.

FIG. 4 shows an example computing device 20 suitable for implementingcertain elements that are apart of embodiments of the presentlydisclosed subject matter. The computing device 20 may be used toimplement, for example, the control panel 120 or a premises managementdevice including sensors as disclosed above. The computing device 20 maybe constructed as a custom-designed device or may be, for example, aspecial-purpose desktop computer, laptop computer, or mobile computingdevice such as a smart phone, tablet, or the like.

The computing device 20 may include a bus 21 that interconnects majorcomponents of the computing device 20, such as a central processor 24, amemory 27 such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM),flash RAM, or the like, a sensor 28, which may include one or moresensors as previously discussed herein, a user display 22 such as adisplay screen, a user input interface 26, which may include one or moreuser input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, keypad, touch screen,turn-wheel, and the like, a fixed storage 23 such as a hard drive, flashstorage, and the like. The user input interface 26 may include a backlitor illumination component to provide light through the user inputinterface 26. The computing device 20 may further include a removablemedia component 25 operative to control and receive an optical disk,flash drive, and the like, and a network interface 29 operable tocommunicate with one or more remote devices via a suitable networkconnection.

The bus 21 allows data communication between the central processor 24and one or more memory components 25, 27, which may include RAM, ROM,and other memory, as previously noted. Applications resident with thecomputing device 20 are generally stored on and accessed via a computerreadable storage medium.

The fixed storage 23 may be integral with the computing device 20 or maybe separate and accessed through other interfaces. The network interface29 may provide a direct connection to the premises management systemand/or a remote server via a wired or wireless connection. The networkinterface 29 may provide such connection using any suitable techniqueand protocol as will be readily understood by one of skill in the art,including digital cellular telephone, WiFi, Thread, Bluetooth®,near-field, and the like. For example, the network interface 29 mayallow the computing device 20 to communicate with other components ofthe premises management system, other computers via one or more local,wide-area, or other communication networks, as described in furtherdetail herein.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, as mentioned above, computing device 20 maybe used to implement a control panel 120 of the system 100. In animplementation such as a control panel 120, the computing device 20 mayinclude one or more sensors 28 to detect the presence and/or movementsof an individual in the vicinity with respect to the control panel 120.Based on data from the sensors 28 and the sensors 71, 72, 73, thecontrol panel 120 may intelligently communicate information to theindividual.

The computing device 20 may include an interface component 30. Theinterface component 30 may include an illuminating element, such as oneor more LED's, optical fibers, or other devices capable of producingand/or conveying light, or one or more translucent buttons which may beilluminated. The interface component 30 may be formed in differentconfigurations. FIGS. 5-7 show various example configurations, however,these are merely examples provided for illustrative purposes and thepresent disclosure is not limited to these configurations. A person ofordinary skill in the art will understand that other configurations arepossible within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration in which the interface component 30completely encircles user input 26 and display 22. In thisconfiguration, interface component 30 is implemented as a light ring 500disposed around an outer circumference of the control panel 120. Thelight ring may be configured to selectively illuminate any of aplurality of colors, as will further be described below.

FIG. 6 shows another configuration of the interface component 30. Inthis configuration, interface component 30 is implemented as one or morebuttons 600 disposed in a circular layout on a front face of the controlpanel 120 encircling user input 26 and display 22. The buttons 600 maybe configured to selectively illuminate any of a plurality of colors,and may also be configured to display one or more icons. For example,the icons could represent modes or commands and may be imprinted on theface of the buttons 600.

FIG. 7 shows another configuration of the interface component 30including the buttons 600. In this configuration, the buttons 600 aredisposed along a line on one edge of the control panel 120. Generally,the buttons 600 may be disposed in any layout format on the controlpanel 120.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control panel 120 may control anillumination style of the interface component 30 and the user input 26based on data obtained from one or more sensors 28 and/or sensors 71,72, 73 according to at least partly different sets of rules. Sensor 28may include an ambient light sensor, motion sensor, proximity sensor,PIR sensor, microphone, or the like. When the sensor 28 detects anindividual's approach within a first distance range of the control panel120, the control panel 120 may illuminate the first interface component30 according to a first set of rules. This operational phase may bereferred to as the “notification phase.”

The rules applied during the notification phase may depend upon the typeand amount of data that is available in the system 100 and upon thespecific sensor 28 configuration of the control panel 120. Variousconfigurations and rules will be described below, however, the presentdisclosure is not limited to any particular combination thereof. Rather,a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that multiplepermutations including some not specifically described will fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an individual 830 approaching a control panel 120. In oneembodiment, the sensors 28 of the control panel 120 may include at leasta proximity sensor configured to detect an individual 830 at a firstdistance range 810. Upon detection of the individual 830 within firstrange 810, the control panel 120 may illuminate the interface component30 (FIG. 4) in a first style (e.g., color, intensity, pulsation, etc.).Selection of the parameters of the first illumination style may dependon one or more factors, including environmental factors, e.g., a time ofday, a condition of the room in which the control panel 120 issituated), system factors (e.g., a state of the system 100 which thecontrol panel 120 operates) and subject factors (e.g., an identificationof the subject individual 830 who has been detected).

Regarding environmental factors, the sensors 28 may further include anambient light sensor, a microphone, atmosphere detector, thermometer, orother types of sensors that may obtain data about the local environmentaround the control panel 120. The control panel 120 may select a colorand intensity of illumination based on the environment data. Forexample, if the room is dark, the control panel 120 may select a softer,dimmer color light for illumination, whereas if the room is bright thecontrol panel 120 may select a sharper, brighter light for illumination.In another example, the control panel 120 may select a color from amonga gradient of colors corresponding to various temperatures detected inthe room, e.g., if the room is warm the control panel 120 may select anorange color whereas if the room is cool the control panel 120 mayselect a blue color. In another example, the control panel 120 mayilluminate the interface component 30 to complement a sound, such asmusic presently playing in the room. In this example, the interfacecomponent 30 may be controlled to pulse in sync to the rhythm of themusic. These examples are not exclusive, but may be combined in anynumber of ways. For example, in a dim, cool, room playing music thecontrol panel 120 may control the interface component to illuminate asoft, blue color pulsing rhythmically to the beat of the music.

In other situations, the interface may be configured to produce sound ata given volume to overcome and be heard over ambient noise in a room orwhen illumination may be ineffective, e.g., when the ambient lightlevels in a room are very high and it would be hard for a user todistinguish lighting variations on the interface.

Regarding system factors, the control panel 120 may obtain informationabout the system and communicate such information in a color-codedtransmission via the interface component 30. For example, the controlpanel 120 may obtain data about a security state of the premises andilluminate the interface component 30 to communicate the present state,e.g., illuminate a green color to indicate that all is well, a yellowcolor to indicate that a possible alert situation has occurred, and aflashing red color to indicate that the system is in an alert mode. Inother examples, the control panel 120 may communicate color-codedinformation such as an alarm mode (e.g., unarmed, away, stay, etc.),whether any occupants are home, or whether the certain system componentsare presently functioning. Such color-codes may be predefined by thesystem 100 or may be defined/adjusted by the user of the system 100.

Furthermore, the control panel 120 may obtain data from sensors 71, 72,73 in the system 100 and select a color to communicate informationinferred from the sensor data. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if ahazard detection device 130 elsewhere within the premises 110 detects ahazardous gas in the atmosphere, the control panel 120 may illuminate aflashing yellow color to indicate a warning.

In addition to color selection, in the embodiments as shown in FIG. 6,the control panel 120 may selectively highlight one or more buttons 600.For example, the buttons 600 may include icons that represent commands,modes, or input shortcuts to the control panel 600. The buttons can beilluminated on an individual 830 basis to further communicateinformation during the notification phase. As such, it is possible tocommunicate dual information. For example, the buttons may include anicon 600A that indicates a “night” alarm mode, i.e., a mode in which abreech detected by perimeter and entry way sensors will trigger an alertbut movement detected by indoor motion sensors will not trigger analert. When an individual 830 enters the first distance range 810, thecontrol panel 120 may illuminate all of the buttons 600 a soft orangecolor to indicate the temperature, but illuminate the night mode button600A relatively more intensely than the other buttons 600 to indicatethat the security system component of system 100 is presently set tonight mode. Therefore, at a glance while walking past the control panel120 the user may be apprised of several pieces of information.

In another example, the control panel 120 may illuminate one or morebuttons 600 more intensely than the other buttons 600 in order toindicate to the individual 830 certain options that are presentlyavailable for selection or to suggest preferred options that should beselected by the user out of all of the options that are available. Forexample, the system 100 may be configured not to automatically contactthe fire department, but rather to require a button-press from a user tocontact the authorities. This may be implemented in situations where aperson at the premises can investigate, say, a fire indication providedby the system and confirm whether there is or is not a fire at thepremises before the system 100 contacts the fire department. Theinterface can provide a button that the user can push to indicate thatthere is no emergency and another button to indicate that there is anemergency and to cause the system 100 to contact emergency services. Thesystem 100 may determine that there may be a hazard such as a fire or anatural gas leak based upon data received from various sensors. Thesystem 100 may also determine a confidence level corresponding to thedetermination. The confidence level can correspond to the likelihoodthat a hazard actually exists based on the amount of data received bythe system 100 regarding the potential hazard and the consistency ofsuch data that indicates the possibility of the hazard. If theconfidence level exceeds a given high confidence threshold, then thesystem 100 may cause the “contact emergency services” button to flash,be colored more intensely (e.g., show a brighter red) and/or beaccompanied with an audio signal, such as a beeping. If the confidencelevel is below the given high confidence threshold but above a given lowconfidence threshold, it may cause both the “contact emergency services”and “false alarm” buttons to be displayed in approximately the samefashion. If the confidence level is below a low confidence threshold, itmay cause the “false alarm” button to flash.

Regarding subject individual factors, the control panel 120 may obtaininformation about the subject individual 830 and provide informationcustomized for the individual 830. The selection of customizedinformation may be set by direct user input or determined by the controlpanel 120 “learning” what information the subject individual 830 is mostlikely to desire to receive. In an implementation, such learning mayonly occur based on a user's consent. For example, the system 100 maylearn that a given user is blind and use alternative audio alerts ratherthan illuminated alerts. Likewise, if a user is known to be deaf,enhanced visual outputs may be generated and shown without a soundcomponent when the user approaches. As another example, a user known tobe a system administrator or adult may be shown more options in a morecomplicated layout than a user known to be a child. For example, asystem administrator may be presented with interface elements that canbe used to reset the system or to change the system 100 security mode,e.g., from “home” to “away”, while these may not be shown to other userswho are not administrators. An adult may be shown interface elementswith options to contact emergency services, while a child may be showninterface elements that, when selected, alert the child's parents via anaudible alarm (e.g., in the bedroom or a general announcement throughoutthe premises) or by sending a text message or telephone call to theparents' smartphones.

In the direct user input method, the individual 830 may register anaccount with the control panel 120, for example, via the user input 26(FIG. 4) or via a connection to the control panel 120 through network 70(FIG. 3) using a computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, mobile device orthe like. The individual 830 may associate, with the registered account,personal preferences regarding which information the control panel 120should transmit during the notification phase. For example, theindividual 830 may designate a preference for the control panel 120 tocommunicate a security state of the premises, or a preference for thecontrol panel 120 to communicate a temperature of the room, or apreference for the control panel 120 to simply display a favorite colorof the individual 830 or a color which matches the room in accordancewith the individual's 830 visual liking. In this embodiment theindividual 830 may experience a subtle pleasure in seeing elements ofthe individual's 830 smart home environment respond to the individual's830 presence with pleasing visual effects.

The control panel 120 may recognize or attempt to recognize the subjectindividual 830 in one or more of several different ways. For example,the sensor 28 may include a camera which may detect the individual 830and identify the individual 830 based on facial recognition methods. Inanother example, the individual 830 may carry a device such as a smallkey fob that identifies the individual 830 to the control panel 120and/or the system 100. The key fob may include a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) device that may identify the individual 830 to thecontrol panel 120. In yet another example, the individual 830 mayregister the individual's 830 mobile device with the control panel 120.When the mobile device comes in range, the mobile device may identifythe individual 830 to the control panel 120 via wireless communicationprotocols, e.g., Bluetooth®, Thread, WiFi, or via the network 70. In yetanother embodiment, the system 100 may identify an individual 830 basedon learned features and patterns, such as the height and cross sectionof the person, a signature based on the manner in which the personapproaches the control panel 120 (speed, direction, etc.), the times ofday that the user approaches and so on, or any combination thereof. Inanother embodiment, the control panel 120 can ask a user to identifyitself by providing interface elements (e.g., buttons) each labeled withthe name of a known occupant of the premises and asking the user toselect the element corresponding to the user's identity. The selectioncan be verified biometrically, by reading a fingerprint of the user thatcan be detected when the user touches the screen to make the selection.The selection may also be verified by subsequently asking the user toenter a secret known only to the user, such as a PIN.

In another embodiment, the control panel 120 may use categoricalresponses to determine the information or effect to be communicated viacolor selection. For example, the control panel 120 may be set tooperate according to a set of preferences when in a certain room (e.g.,in the master bedroom, illuminate security information according to thesecurity color-codes; in the basement, illuminate temperaturecolor-codes and pulse when music is playing, etc.). Other categoricalresponses may include a set of preferences according to a certain timeof the day, certain day of the week, certain calendar day (e.g., shadesof red on Valentine's day, etc.) or other categorical-type setting.

Furthermore, even if the individual 830 does not register with thecontrol panel 120, the control panel 120 may still attempt to “learn”the individual's 830 preference based on the most frequent uses thecontrol panel 120 encounters during the next phase, as will now bedescribed as follows.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 4, as a response to the individual 830approaching toward the bounds of a second distance range 820, thecontrol panel 120 may gradually increase the intensity of illuminationof the first component 30. When the sensor 28 detects the individual 830is within the second distance range 820 of the control panel 120, whichis closer than the first distance range 810, the control panel 120 mayilluminate or not illuminate the user input 26 (e.g., keypad, touchscreen, click wheel, etc.) according to a second set of rules. Thisoperational phase may be referred to as the “approach phase.”

During the notification phase, while the individual 830 is in the firstrange 810 the user input 26 may remain dormant at a default illuminationlevel or completely off. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, theindividual 830 will not be distracted or overwhelmed by the user input26 during the notification phase, but the individual's 830 attention maybe directed to the color of the buttons 600 and particularly thehighlighted button 600A. However, as the individual 830 approachescloser, the control panel 120 may infer that the individual 830 intendsto interact with the control panel 120 and not simply receive visualinformation. Accordingly, the control panel 120 may illuminate or notilluminate the user input 26 based on the second set of rules.

When the individual 830 arrives within the second range 820, the controlpanel 120 may illuminate the user input 26 according to a secondillumination style. As the individual 830 approaches closer to thecontrol panel 120, the control panel 120 may increase the intensity ofillumination of the user input 26. These actions may signify to theindividual 830 that the control panel 120 is ready to receive input.

If the individual 830 has been identified by the control panel 120during the notification phase, the control panel 120 may operate theuser input 26 to display information in accordance with the preferencesof the individual 830 as previously set by the individual 830 or aslearned by the control panel 120. For example, in one embodiment theuser input 26 may be implemented as a touch screen. In this embodiment,the screen may display a screen with additional information or controls,such as virtual sliders to control settings of a particular component ofthe system 100 (e.g., an entertainment system control display, asprinkler system control display, a security system control display,etc.), an alpha-numeric keypad to enter settings, or other types ofdisplays.

In another example, the control panel 120 may remain off or present arestricted set of interface elements if the identified individual 830 isnot authorized to operate the control panel 120, if the individual 830is not identified or if the individual 830 (such as a child or a serviceprovider) is only authorized access to a restricted set of system 100controls.

Moreover, the user input 26 may restrict certain displays to certainindividuals. For example, certain security settings may be restrictedfrom being displayed except to the adult owner of the home. Inrestricting certain displays, the control panel 120 may requireauthentication of a user before showing the restricted display, such asentering a code as well as being otherwise identified by the controlpanel (i.e., via facial recognition, key fob, mobile device, etc.). Inthis case, the control panel 120 may identify a potentially authorizedindividual approaching and automatically display a keypad mode on userdisplay 26 when the individual 830 enters the second range 820 for theindividual 830 to complete his/her authentication to the control panel120.

In one embodiment, the control panel 120 may lack any devices or methodsby which to attempt to identify the approaching individual 830. In thiscase, the control panel 120 may simply illuminate the user input 26(keypad) or display a general input screen on a touch screen. If theindividual interacts with the control panel 120, however, the controlpanel 120 may record data indicating a nature of the interaction. Suchdata may be stored, for example in memory 27, fixed storage 23 orremovable media 25. Based on this data, the control panel 120 may detectuse trends and attempt to operate in a manner that anticipates a likelyuse of the control panel 120 by the individual 830. For example, thestored data may indicate that every weekday at 5:00 the control panel120 is used to adjust the temperature of system 100. Accordingly, whenthe control panel 120 detects an individual within the second range 820at 5:00 on a weekday, the control panel 120 may illuminate the userinput 26 to display temperature control settings.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method of operation for control panel 120.At operation 910, the control panel sets the interface component 30 andthe user input 26 to a default style, for example, a low level or an offlevel. At operation 920 the control panel 120 determines whether anindividual is within the first distance range. If no individual isdetected, the control panel 120 maintains the interface component 30 andthe user input 26 at the default illumination style.

If an individual is detected at operation 920, the control panel 120 canadjust the interface component 30 in accordance with a first rule set atoperation 930. The first rule set may define, for example, a colorand/or brightness selection for illumination based on, for example,sensor data indicating a temperature of a room, an operation status orstate of the system 100, sensor data from other sensors 71, 72, 73 ofthe system 100, a personal preference of an identified individual, acategorical setting of the control panel 120. Accordingly, a rule setcould define a color for each degree within a range of degrees, ordefine a color for each of a plurality of operational states of thesystem 100, etc. For example, at operation 920 the control panel mayselect the illumination style according to the following rules: securitystate “all clear”=constant green; security state “warning”=pulsingyellow; security state “alert”=flashing red. Furthermore, rules createdfrom various bases may be combined into a single rule set, as in thecase of rules regarding temperature, ambient light, and music and one ormore announcements all being combined to determine the selectedillumination style.

At operation 940 the control panel 120 determines whether an individualis within the second distance range. If no individual is detected, thecontrol panel 120 determines whether an individual is still in firstdetected range at operation 920. If an individual is detected within thesecond range, then the control panel 120 adjusts an illumination styleof the user input 26 (second interface component) in accordance with asecond rule set. The second rule set may define a display screen or keypad illumination style based on, for example, an identification of theuser, a estimation of intended use of the control panel 120 asdetermined by historical data, a default display mode, or other rule.

In an implementation, the system may detect and identify a user in thefirst range. The system 100 may determine if it requires any input fromthe identified person. For example, the system 100 may identify a userpassing by the control panel 120 as a system administrator and may alsodetermine that, in accordance with system rules, the systemadministrator should be alerted when a system fault is detected.Examples of a system fault include an inoperative sensor, a blockedsensor, a problem with a communications channel (e.g., one that connectsthe system 100 to emergency services providers), a computer problem andthe like. If the system 100 detects a system flat at the time the systemadministrator is detected to be approaching or passing by in the firstrange, the system 100 can cause the control panel 120 to illuminateand/or generate a sound signal that effectively summons theadministrator to the control panel 120 to give the needed attention tothe system 100. This can be implemented based on other conditionsbesides system faults. For example, the administrator or other user maybe summoned when the garage door has been determined by the system 100to have remained open after 10 PM. In an implementation, if no need isdetermined by the system 100, the control panel 120 may generate nosummons when a user is detected within the first range.

As mentioned above, the control panel 120 may select an illuminationstyle for the first interface component based at least in part on databe obtained from sensors 71, 72, 73, shown in FIG. 3 which may beincluded in a plurality of devices, including intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected devices, 111 addition to providing dataabout the environment, such devices can integrate seamlessly with eachother and with a central processor (e.g., primary system processor 75)and/or a cloud-computing system (e.g., remote system 74) to providegeneral home-security and features of a smart-home environment.

The control panel 120 may be a control hub for a smart-home environmentthat may include one or more intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected thermostats (e.g., “smart thermostats”), one or moreintelligent, network-connected, multi-sensing hazard detection units(e.g., “smart hazard detectors”), and one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected entryway interface devices (e.g.,“smart doorbells”). Data obtained by such devices may also be used bythe control panel 120. Various example aspects of a smart-homeenvironment and its interaction with the presently disclosed controlpanel 120 will now be described.

For example, data may be obtained from a smart doorbell that may controldoorbell functionality, detect a person's approach to or departure froma location (e.g., an outer door to the structure), and announce aperson's approach or departure from the structure via audible and/orvisual message that is output by a speaker and/or a display coupled to,for example, the control panel 120.

As another example, data may be obtained from a smart thermostat thatmay detect ambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and/orhumidity) as well as control an HVAC (heating, ventilating, and airconditioning) system accordingly of the structure.

As another example, data may be obtained from a smart hazard detectorthat may detect the presence of a hazardous substance or a substanceindicative of a hazardous substance (e.g., smoke, fire, or carbonmonoxide).

In embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system 100 may includeone or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected entrydetectors (e.g., “smart entry detectors”). Such detectors may be orinclude one or more of the sensors 71, 72, 73, shown in FIG. 3. Theillustrated smart entry detectors (e.g., sensors 71, 72, 73) may bedisposed at one or more windows, doors, and other entry points of thesmart-home environment for detecting when a window, door, or other entrypoint is opened, broken, breached, and/or compromised. Data may beobtained from such smart entry detectors and used, for example, todetect entry into the vicinity of the control panel 120.

In some embodiments, the premises management system 100 shown in FIG. 3may include one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedwall switches (e.g., “smart wall switches”), one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected wall plug interfaces (e.g., “smart wallplugs”). The smart wall switches and/or smart wall plugs may be orinclude one or more of the sensors 71, 72, 73, shown in FIG. 3. Thus,data may be obtained from a smart wall switch that may detect ambientlighting conditions for a primary function of controlling a power and/ordim state of one or more lights. For example, a sensor such as sensors71, 72, 73, may detect ambient lighting conditions, and a device such asthe control panel 120 may control the power to one or more lights (notshown) in the smart-home environment. The control panel 120 may furtherdetermine an appropriate intensity of illumination of the interfacecomponent 30 based in part on the detected ambient lighting conditions.

Data may also be obtained from smart wall switches that may also controla power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceiling fan. For example,sensors 71, 72, 73, may detect the power and/or speed of a fan, and thecontrol panel 120 may adjust the power and/or speed of the fan,accordingly. Smart wall plugs may control supply of power to one or morewall plugs (e.g., such that power is not supplied to the plug if nobodyis detected to be within the smart-home environment). For example, oneof the smart wall plugs may control supply of power to a lamp (notshown).

The smart-home environment of the sensor network shown in FIG. 3 caninclude one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connecteddoorknobs (e.g., “smart doorknob”). For example, the sensors 71, 72, 73,may be coupled to a doorknob of a door (e.g., doorknobs 122 located onexternal doors of the structure of the smart-home environment). However,it should be appreciated that smart doorknobs can be provided onexternal and/or internal doors of the smart-home environment. Data aboutthe status of the doorknobs may be obtained and combined with other datato infer a state of a room or the premises.

The smart thermostats, the smart hazard detectors, the smart doorbells,the smart wall switches, the smart wall plugs, the smart entrydetectors, the smart doorknobs, the keypads, and other devices of asmart-home environment (e.g., as illustrated as sensors 71, 72, 73, ofFIG. 3) can be communicatively coupled to each other via the network 70,and to the control panel 120 and/or remote system 74 to providesecurity, safety, and/or comfort for the smart home environment.

The system 100 may obtain data from one or more of the network-connectedsmart devices, however, the user also may interact with such devices(e.g., via the network 70). For example, a user can communicate using acomputing device 20 (e.g., in the form of control panel 120), a portableelectronic device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a key FOB, or thelike), or a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet,or the like). A webpage or application can be configured to receivecommunications from the user and control the one or more of thenetwork-connected smart devices based on the communications and/or topresent information about the device's operation to the user. Forexample, the user can view, arm or disarm the security system of thehome via the control panel 120 or other devices listed above. Similarly,the user may also access a report of the sensor data. The system 100 mayprovide control functions related to the sensor data, for example, tolimit the length of time sensor data is stored, to clear caches forprivacy concerns, or to disable the storing of data.

Furthermore, more than one user may control one or more of thenetwork-connected smart devices in the smart-home environment using anetwork-connected computer or portable electronic device. In someexamples, as mentioned above, some or all of the users (e.g.,individuals 830 who live in the home) can register their mobile deviceand/or key fobs with the smart-home environment. Such registration canbe made via the control panel 120, a computer in communication with thesystem 100, and/or a central server such as the remote system 74.Registration may be used to authenticate the users and/or theirelectronic devices as being associated with the smart-home environment,and to provide permission to use the electronic device to control thenetwork-connected smart devices and the security system of thesmart-home environment. A user can use their registered electronicdevice to remotely control the network-connected smart devices andsecurity system of the smart-home environment, such as when the occupantis at work or on vacation. The user may also use their registeredelectronic device to control the network-connected smart devices whenthe user is located inside the smart-home environment.

Alternatively, or in addition to registering electronic devices, thesmart-home environment may make inferences about which individuals 830live in the home and are therefore users and which electronic devicesare associated with those individuals 830. The smart-home environmentmay “learn” who is a user (e.g., an authorized individual 830) andpermit the electronic devices associated with those individuals 830 tocontrol the network-connected smart devices of the smart-homeenvironment (e.g., devices communicatively coupled to the network 70).In this embodiment, various types of notices and other information maybe provided to users via messages sent to one or more user electronicdevices. For example, the messages can be sent via email, short messageservice (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), unstructuredsupplementary service data (USSD), as well as any other type ofmessaging services and/or communication protocols. The learning andmessaging features may be subject to the users' prior consent beforethey are implemented.

The smart-home environment may include communication with devicesoutside of the smart-home environment but within a proximategeographical range of the home. For example, the smart-home environmentmay include an outdoor lighting system (not shown) that communicatesinformation through the communication network 70 or directly to thesystem 100 or a cloud-computing system (e.g., remote system 74)regarding detected movement and/or presence of people, animals, and anyother objects and receives back commands for controlling the lightingaccordingly.

In some configurations, a remote system 74 may aggregate data frommultiple locations, such as multiple buildings, multi-residentbuildings, individual residences within a neighborhood, multipleneighborhoods, and the like. In general, sensors 71, 72, 73, and/orcontrol panel 120 as previously described with respect to FIG. 3 mayprovide information to the remote system 74. The system 100 may providedata directly from one or more sensors as previously described, or thedata may be aggregated and/or analyzed by local controllers such as theprimary system processor 75, which then communicates with the remotesystem 74. The remote system 74 may aggregate and analyze the data frommultiple locations, and may provide aggregate results to each location.For example, the remote system 74 may examine larger regions for commonsensor data or trends in sensor data, and provide information on theidentified commonality or environmental data trends to each local system100.

In situations in which the systems discussed here collect personalinformation about users, or may make use of personal information, theusers may be provided with an opportunity to control whether programs orfeatures collect user information e.g., information about a user'ssocial network, social actions or activities, profession, a user'spreferences, or a user's current location), or to control whether and/orhow to receive content from the content server that may be more relevantto the user. In addition, certain data may be treated in one or moreways before it is stored or used, so that personally identifiableinformation is removed. For example, specific information about a user'sresidence may be treat-d so that no personally identifiable informationcan be determined for the user, or a user's geographic location may begeneralized where location information is obtained (such as to a city,ZIP code, or state level), so that a particular location of a usercannot be determined. As another example, systems disclosed herein mayallow a user to restrict the information collected by those systems toapplications specific to the user, such as by disabling or limiting theextent to which such information is aggregated or used in analysis withother information from other users. Thus, the user may have control overhow information is collected about the user and used by a system asdisclosed herein.

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter mayinclude or be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes andapparatuses for practicing those processes. Embodiments also may beembodied in the form of a computer program product having computerprogram code containing instructions embodied in non-transitory and/ortangible media, such as hard drives, USB (universal serial bus) drives,or any other machine readable storage medium, such that when thecomputer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, thecomputer becomes an apparatus for practicing embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. When implemented on a general-purposemicroprocessor, the computer program code may configure themicroprocessor to become a special-purpose device, such as by creationof specific logic circuits as specified by the instructions.

Embodiments may be implemented using hardware that may include aprocessor, such as a general purpose microprocessor and/or anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that embodies all or partof the techniques according to embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter in hardware and/or firmware. The processor may be coupled tomemory, such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, a hard disk or any other devicecapable of storing electronic information. The memory may storeinstructions adapted to be executed by the processor to perform thetechniques according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to the precise formsdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of theabove teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order toexplain the principles of embodiments of the disclosed subject matterand their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled inthe art to utilize those embodiments as well as various embodiments withvarious modifications as may be suited to the particular usecontemplated.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A premises management system, comprising: aplurality of inter-connected premises management devices, each includingone or more sensors that generate data about an environment; and a userinterface (UI) device to provide an interface for a user to interactwith the system and control one or more of the premises managementdevices, the UI device including: one or more proximity sensors, a firstinterface component configured to illuminate when an individual isdetected within a first range by the one or more proximity sensors, anda second interface component to receive input from the individual andconfigured to illuminate when the individual is detected within a secondrange closer to the UI device than the first range, wherein the UIdevice illuminates the first interface component according to a firstrule set and illuminates the second interface component according to asecond rule set that is different from the first rule set, wherein thefirst and second rule sets each define conditions for illumination andstyles of illumination that correspond to the conditions.
 2. Thepremises management system of claim 1, wherein the first interfacecomponent is configured to increase an intensity of illumination as theindividual moves closer to the UI device and to decrease the intensityof illumination as the individual moves away from the UI device.
 3. Thepremises management system of claim 1, wherein the first interfacecomponent comprises a plurality of icons disposed around the secondinterface component.
 4. The premises management system of claim 3,wherein the plurality of icons are configured to illuminate on anindividual basis according to a present security state of the systemwhen the individual is detected within the first range.
 5. The premisesmanagement system of claim 1, wherein the first interface componentcomprises a light ring encircling the second interface component.
 6. Thepremises management system of claim 5, wherein the light ring isconfigured to illuminate a predetermined color based on a presentsecurity state of the system when the individual is detected within thefirst range.
 7. The premises management system of claim 1, wherein thesecond interface component is a keypad to receive a security code fromthe individual.
 8. The premises management system of claim 1, whereinthe second interface component is a touch screen configured to display aplurality of display interfaces including a keypad display to receive asecurity code.
 9. The premises management system of claim 1, wherein theUI device further includes a communication unit to receive anidentification signal from the individual.
 10. The premises managementsystem of claim 9, wherein the second interface component is a touchscreen configured to display a predetermined set of display screensbased on the identification signal of the individual.
 11. The premisesmanagement system of claim 9, wherein the first interface component is alight ring configured to illuminate a predetermined color based on theidentification signal of the individual.
 12. The premises managementsystem of claim 9, wherein the individual transmits the identificationsignal using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device.
 13. Thepremises management system of claim 12, wherein the second interfacecomponent is configured to require an authorized identification signalfrom the RFID device prior to accepting entry of a security code. 14.The premises management system of claim 1, wherein the first interfacecomponent is a light ring configured to illuminate a predetermined colorbased on an identity of an individual.
 15. The premises managementsystem of claim 1, wherein each of the styles define at least a colorand intensity level of illumination.
 16. A method of operating a userinterface (UI) device for a premises management system, comprising:illuminating a first interface component of a UI device in a firstillumination style when an individual is detected within a first rangefrom the UI device, wherein the first illumination style is selectedbased on a first rule set; and illuminating a second interface componentof the UI device in a second illumination style when the individual isdetected within a second range from the UI device closer than the firstrange, wherein the second illumination style is selected based on asecond rule set different from the first rule set, wherein the first andsecond rule sets each define conditions for illumination and styles ofillumination that correspond to the conditions.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising increasing an intensity of illumination of thefirst interface component as the individual moves closer to the UIdevice and decreasing an intensity of the UI device as the individualmoves away from the UI device.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein thefirst interface component comprises a plurality of icons disposed aroundthe second interface component, the method further comprising:illuminating the icons on an individual basis according to a presentsecurity state of the system when the individual is detected within thefirst range.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first interfacecomponent comprises a light ring encircling the second interfacecomponent, the method further comprising: illuminating the light ring apredetermined color based on a present security state of the system whenthe individual is detected within the first range.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the second interface component is a touch screen, themethod further comprising: receiving an identification signal from theindividual; and displaying a predetermined set of display screens on thetouch screen based on the identification signal of the individual. 21.The method of claim 16, wherein the first interface component is a lightring encircling the second interface component, the method furthercomprising: receiving an identification signal from the individual; andilluminating the light ring a predetermined color based on theidentification signal from the individual.
 22. A user interface (UI)device for a premises management system, the UI device comprising: atleast one proximity sensor; a first interface component configured toilluminate in a first illumination style based on a first rule set whenan individual is detected within a first range by the at least oneproximity sensor; and a second interface component to receive input fromthe individual and configured to illuminate in a second illuminationstyle based on a second rule set different from the first rule set whenthe individual is detected within a second range closer to the UI devicethan the first range, wherein the first and second rule sets each defineconditions for illumination and styles of illumination that correspondto the conditions.
 23. The UI device of claim 22, wherein at least oneof the first rule set and the second rule set is based on data obtainedfrom sensors in the premises management system.